Euskaraz irakurri: Schultzek ezustean harrapatu ditu aurkariak Voltako lehenengo irabazteko stage

The Australian Nicholas Schultz (Israel-Premier Tech) prevailed in the first stage of the Volta Ciclista a Cataluña, with departure and arrival in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, after an attack in the last kilometer and with a time of 4h.11:38.

Schulz, however, was about to be hunted by the great favorite for the final victory, the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, who jumped out of the pack and was second.

The peloton neutralized the breakaway of the day, made up of five runners among whom was Mikel Bizkarra (Euskaltel-Euskadi), 31 kilometers from the finish line.

The large group arrived compactly at the ascent of the Alt de Sant Grau (2nd category, with a climb of 7.2km, 3.5% average gradient and 8% maximum gradient). The Catalan Marc Soler accelerated at the top to lead the descent, with Pogacar at the wheel and Kuss close to the Slovenian.

The Portuguese Joao Almeidawho aborted the attack of the Belgian Mauri Vansevenant (Soudal Quick-Step), took turns with Soler to control the race in a section of descents and steep slopes, but they lost the lead of the race on the final descent towards Sant Feliu de Guíxols.

One kilometer from the finish line Schultz surprised with an attack that earned him the victory despite Pogacar’s reaction in the final meters, who almost caught him.

The Volta will head to the Pyrenees this Tuesday in a second stage of 186.5 kilometers that will start from Mataró, on the coast, will pass through the Coll de Coubet (1st) and will end with an uphill finish in Vallter (special), at 2,135 meters.

Stage

1 – SCHULTZ Nick (Israel) 4:11:38

2 – POGACAR Tadej (UAE) mt

3 – WILLIAMS Stephen (Israel) mt

4 – GODON Dorian (AG2R) + 0:02

5 – LAURANCE Axel (Alpecin) mt

6 – ROCHAS Rémy (Groupama) mt

7 – VAN WILDER Ilan (Soudal) mt

8 – VLASOV Aleksandr (BORA) mt

9 – KUSS Sepp (Visma) mt

10 – ROOF Harold (Astana) mt

General

1 – SCHULTZ Nick (Israel) 4:11:28

2 – POGACAR Tadej (UAE) + 0:02

3 – WILLIAMS Stephen (Israel) + 0:06

4 – DE PLUS Laurens (INEOS) + 0:09

5 – GODON Dorian (AG2R) + 0:10

6 – LAURANCE Axel (Alpecin) mt

7 – ROCHAS Rémy (Groupama) mt

8 – VAN WILDER Ilan (Soudal) mt

9 – VLASOV Aleksandr (BORA) mt

10 – KUSS Sepp (Visma) mt

Source: Eitb

Kingston

Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.